Queensland first solar-powered electric vehicle charging units have been built and installed on campuses of the University of Queensland at Gaton and St Lucia according to ABC News. The chargers are 10X faster as compared to a home charger and will be free for public use. A 15-minute charging time can power up an electric car up to 70 kilometers.
Andrew Wilson, UQ manager of Energy and Sustainability said that this charger is a game changer. He also said that the first inter-city charger in Queensland will enable long distance electric vehicle travel outside of the city and he hopes that it will be the start of an electric vehicle highway all throughout the state.
Energy Minister Mark Bailey stated that sales of electric cars were currently not picking up because the technology is “relatively new”, but said the government would check into how it could promote and develop the sector. Electric cars are not cheap and one car can start form $50,000 and a sport version can reach up to more than $400,000.
Titanium, the company that designed and built the “Veefil” charger in Brisbane stated that the initiative can kick-start the electric vehicle revolution in Queensland. Chief Executive David Finn also said that it will allow easy inter-city vehicle ravel between Toowomba and Brisbane.
Many European countries are making electric car chargers available. The technology for now may be expensive but in a few years or within the decade, full electric cars and electric chargers will be as common as petrol stations in every town.
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Image credit: ABC News: Lexy Hamilton-Smith